The newspaper also spoke to “multiple criminal defense attorneys” who confirmed that the judge made the remarks to at least four defendants.

According to the report, during a sentencing hearing on July 18, judge Johnson suspended Gregory Galazin’s 28-month prison sentence and placed him on probation even though he admitted to assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Johnson advised him to complete his probation requirements and he would have his voting rights restored in “plenty of time” to cast his ballot for the president.

“That way your civil rights would be restored and you would have plenty of time to vote for Mr. Trump on the next election, okay?” the judge was quoted as saying in the transcripts.

In another case, Johnson directed another man pleading guilty to a felony to withdraw his plea and admit to a misdemeanor instead.

Court transcripts show that Johnson explained to defendant Reed Anthony Morris, “if you do everything I tell you to do you’ve got an opportunity to do some great things and possibly depending on the time you might be able to vote for Trump in the next presidential election.”